[2] The awards show was hosted by adult star Nikki Benz, MyFreeCams celebrity Emily Bloom, with comedian Aries Spears.

[5][6] The 37th AVN Awards was noteworthy as one of the last events held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, before the facility's closure on February 3, 2020.

[11][6] Maitland Ward, a mainstream actress-turned pornographic actress previously known from Boy Meets World and The Bold and the Beautiful, was recognized with multiple awards after debuting in the adult industry in 2019.

[14][15] The event was held inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas at the music venue called The Joint.

[7] The AVN Awards signed a contract with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas through the year 2023 to continue the event at the new location.

"[4][9] Journalist Rosario Harper noted for SOHH that Doja Cat was following in the footsteps of Kanye West and Cardi B following a trend of hip hop music stars headlining at the AVN Awards.

[9] Layla Halabian reviewed Doja Cat's fashion choice favorably for Nylon, "In her latest move, the rapper performed at the 2020 AVN Adult Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas on January 25 in a truly unforgettable nude mesh bodysuit, complete with rhinestone silhouettes highlighting her nipples, butt, and that most maligned of body hair — pubes.

The fit, fabricated by Union Western Clothing, features some delicious iconography, including a guy getting it on with a mermaid, some minotaur action, and anthropomorphic mushrooms.

[20] Angela White won the night's main award, for Female Performer of the Year, becoming the first person to win this trophy three times in a row.

[11][6] Writing for The Daily Beast columnist Aurora Snow commented of her achievement, "she became the first woman ever to win three consecutive years; an unusual accolade for any female performer to receive".

[11] Maitland Ward, a mainstream actress-turned pornographic actress who previously starred as Rachel McGuire on the sitcom Boy Meets World and Jessica Forrester on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, was recognized with multiple awards at the ceremony.

[6] The same film also won awards for Best Special Effects and Best Makeup for Dusty Lynn, Best Soundtrack, and Best Transgender One-on-One Sex Scene for Kenzie Taylor and Aubrey Kate.

[28] L.A. Weekly noted it was the "largest porn industry gathering of its kind in the United States, featuring four days of events, panels and meetups, merch and memorabilia".

"[12] Sperlein observed regardless of legal merit, prosecutions were frequently sought against producers of adult film content, and were "done for political gain".

[12] The Free Speech Coalition and the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee handed out literature at the event supporting sex workers' rights.